Healthy snacks (photo by Liam Verster)

By Liam Verster

Giving Tuesday

United Way supporting Grande Prairie school nutrition programs as part of Giving Tuesday

Dec 1, 2020 | 1:15 PM

United Way Alberta Northwest is using Giving Tuesday to raise funds for school nutrition programs in Grande Prairie.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving, intended to encourage people to support local charities following Black Friday and Cyber Monday

United Way Alberta Northwest has organized Giving Tuesday initiatives in the past, including collecting for food banks and winter clothes for those in need, but this year they are raising funds to support nutrition programs in local schools.

“This year we wanted to aim to raise some money to provide healthy snacks to some of our more high needs schools in Grande Prairie,” says Tracy Zuk, Resource Development Manager for United Way Alberta Northwest.

“Most of the schools have a snack program and they have funding for it, but sometimes the funding isn’t quite enough for the need that is there, especially this year. We have noticed that there is obviously more need in almost all aspects of our community right now, but we want to make sure that kids have food in their bellies.

“It’s a proven fact that once they’re full they learn better and will have a better chance of succeeding in school.”

The fundraising goal this year is $10,000, which could provide over 4,500 nutritious and healthy snacks to local school children.

Zuk adds that this is a very important cause, especially this year, as many families struggle to provide snacks and meals, let alone healthy ones.

Along with collecting donations from the public, Tidewater Midstream has partnered with the United Way to support this cause. The company will match public donations up to $3,500.

Giving Tuesday donations can be made through the United Way Alberta Northwest’s website.